Forecast

12 spring TV newcomers that deserve to be on your radar

March 19, 2017

Photo: Fox

Image 1of/13

Caption

Close

Image 1 of 13

Here are 12 must-see spring TV newcomers.

“Shots Fired”: 7 p.m. Wednesday, Fox

This provocative 10-episode series, which is reflective of these racially charged times, examines the explosive aftermath of a police shooting in a small North Carolina town. The premise turns the tables on stories that have been so prominent in the news today: Here, an African-American cop is under investigation for shooting a young, unarmed white man. less

Here are 12 must-see spring TV newcomers.

“Shots Fired”: 7 p.m. Wednesday, Fox

This provocative 10-episode series, which is reflective of these racially charged times, examines the explosive aftermath ... more

“The Kennedys: After Camelot”: 8 p.m. April 2, wraps up April 9, Reelz

Katie Holmes and Matthew Perry as Jackie Kennedy and her brother-in-law Ted are the two best reasons to watch this four-hour miniseries, which chronicles events following Robert Kennedy’s assassination. It effectively shows Jackie’s motivation in marrying Aristotle Onassis (Alexander Siddig) and relocating her life and children to Greece: to get away from the constant threat of the Kennedy “curse.” less

“The Kennedys: After Camelot”: 8 p.m. April 2, wraps up April 9, Reelz

Katie Holmes and Matthew Perry as Jackie Kennedy and her brother-in-law Ted are the two best reasons to watch this four-hour ... more

Even if you weren’t a big fan of the original series, which ran from 2005 to 2009, you may find yourself clutching your seat during this thrilling revival. Original creator Paul Schering reunited the cast for a gripping new escape caper — this time in Yemen. Once again, it revolves around the love between brothers, the thought-to-be-dead Michael (Wentworth Miller) and thug-evading Lincoln (Dominic Purcell). less

“Prison Break”: 8 p.m. April 4, Fox

Even if you weren’t a big fan of the original series, which ran from 2005 to 2009, you may find yourself clutching your seat during this thrilling revival. Original ... more

What does it matter that Irishman Brosnan’s Texas accent is so strange as Eli McCullough, the ruthless patriarch in this multigenerational tale of survival, ambition and conflicting cultures? The bushy-bearded Brosnan still turns in a powerful portrayal in the period saga, which was filmed in Austin and Alberta, Canada, and inspired by Meyer’s 2013 bestseller. less

“The Son”: 8 p.m. April 8, AMC

What does it matter that Irishman Brosnan’s Texas accent is so strange as Eli McCullough, the ruthless patriarch in this multigenerational tale of survival, ambition and ... more

Fourteen new episodes of the cult television show will feature Kinga Forrester (Felicia Day) and her loyal henchman, Max (Patton Oswalt), who have revived the infamous experiment started by Kinga’s father 29 years earlier. The goal is to discover how many cheesy movies it takes to drive someone bonkers. less

“Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Return”: April 14, Netflix

Fourteen new episodes of the cult television show will feature Kinga Forrester (Felicia Day) and her loyal henchman, Max (Patton Oswalt), who ... more

You betcha this third round of TV’s take on the Coen Brothers movie sounds enticing. Set in 2010, it centers on two very different brothers played by Ewan McGregor: Emmit, the Parking Lot King of Minnesota, sees himself as an American success story, whereas Ray is a balding, pot-bellied parole officer who bitterly blames his brother for the hand he was dealt. less

“Fargo”: 9 p.m. April 19, FX

You betcha this third round of TV’s take on the Coen Brothers movie sounds enticing. Set in 2010, it centers on two very different brothers played by Ewan McGregor: Emmit, the ... more

Director Howard (“A Beautiful Mind”) embraces another brilliant subject, Albert Einstein, in a drama series that thumbs its nose at stock depictions of the German-born physicist and author of the theory of relativity. Oscar winner Geoffrey Rush (“Shine”) delivers a complex performance as the wild-haired, whip-smart, eccentric and lusty older Einstein — John Flynn plays the younger version — that is both surprising and entertaining. less

“Genius”: 8 p.m. April 25, National Geographic Channel

Director Howard (“A Beautiful Mind”) embraces another brilliant subject, Albert Einstein, in a drama series that thumbs its nose at stock ... more

It’s tough enough trying to earn respect and do your best work at a job without having your mom there looking over your shoulder, right? That’s the premise of this sitcom from Fey and Robert Carlock (“The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt”), which explores all kinds of havoc in a cable TV newsroom when a young producer (Briga Heelan) learns that her over-involved mother (Andrea Martin) has been hired as the show’s intern. less

“Great News”: 8 p.m. April 25, NBC

It’s tough enough trying to earn respect and do your best work at a job without having your mom there looking over your shoulder, right? That’s the premise of this ... more

If you were horrified by Atwood’s novel about a dystopian society that forces women into servitude, this multi-episode treatment featuring an emotionally wrenching performance by Moss may send you over the edge. Its plot: Widespread infertility caused by environmental contamination has resulted in the subjugation of fertile women — the handmaids of the title — by the fundamentalist religious government. less

“The Handmaid’s Tale”: April 26, Hulu

If you were horrified by Atwood’s novel about a dystopian society that forces women into servitude, this multi-episode treatment featuring an emotionally wrenching ... more

Created by Bryan Fuller (“Hannibal”) and Michael Green (“Heroes”), this 10-episode series is based on the intensely popular epic novel by Gaiman. It follows just-released convict Shadow Moon (Ricky Whittle) who, desperate for a job and in deep mourning over the death of his wife, begins working with con man Mr. Wednesday (McShane). less

“American Gods”: 8 p.m. April 30, Starz

Created by Bryan Fuller (“Hannibal”) and Michael Green (“Heroes”), this 10-episode series is based on the intensely popular epic novel by Gaiman. It follows ... more

Solloway’s adaptation of the Chris Kraus cult novel is set in Marfa. Chris (Kathryn Hahn) and Sylvere (Griffin Dunne) travel to the Texas town when Sylvere is offered a fellowship to finish a book about the Holocaust. When they meet the magnetic Dick (Kevin Bacon), he feeds their imaginations and upends their preconceptions about love and monogamy. less

“I Love Dick”: May 12, Amazon

Solloway’s adaptation of the Chris Kraus cult novel is set in Marfa. Chris (Kathryn Hahn) and Sylvere (Griffin Dunne) travel to the Texas town when Sylvere is offered a ... more

It’s tough to get much of a handle on the Lynch-Mark Frost continuation of the iconic ABC series that was set in the seemingly wholesome fictional town of Twin Peaks and revolved around, initially anyway, the mysterious murder of high school homecoming queen Laura Palmer. All details have been kept tightly under wraps. The only hint given by Lynch, who directed all 18 episodes, is that Palmer’s finally seven days are very important to the reboot’s story. less

“Twin Peaks”: 8 p.m. May 21, Showtime

It’s tough to get much of a handle on the Lynch-Mark Frost continuation of the iconic ABC series that was set in the seemingly wholesome fictional town of Twin Peaks ... more